Fri Dec 23, 2016 7:37 pm
Brentford Opposition View: Cardiff City
Friday 23rd December 2016
Boxing Day marks the mid-point of the season, how’s the first-half gone from a Cardiff perspective?
Well the table tells it's own story. A lack of firepower up front and a defence that keeps giving away soft goals is a pretty toxic mix. It's been much better over the last ten games or so, where there have been a fair few defeats but much better fight and certainly signs of improvement in most areas of the pitch. Despite a brilliant win over Nottingham Forest a month or so back, the away form has been average at best so I'm sure Brentford will be confident of getting something out the game.
What were fans expectations heading into the season? Has this season been as they expected?
That's quite a tricky one to answer. Really people were hoping for the play-offs, given that they finished eighth in the table last year. Having said that, people were sceptical about Paul Trollope's appointment and when Fabio and David Marshall were sold to the Premier League, those top six hopes evaporated. We're now at a point where fans are just hoping Neil Warnock can keep them up this year and have a proper pre-season to build from.
What sort of impact has Neil Warnock made since coming in? Is he the man for the moment at Cardiff?
He definitely is. He'd be the first to admit that he'd have like a win or two more under his belt, home defeats to Wigan and Barnsley were particularly disappointing. But first and foremost he's lifted the mood around the place, he communicates brilliantly with the fans and they love listening to him. The team are definitely competing better and are improving in attack, creating more and better chances for themselves. It's for that reason that most fans are still quietly confident they'll get out of trouble and into lower mid-table.
Who are the key players to watch out for?
Junior Hoilett has been brilliant since signing. He took a little bit of time to get up to match fitness but is flying now and can do real damage either out wide or through the middle. He is perhaps not quite as quick as he was when he first broke onto the scene but he has lost none of his trickery or vision. Aron Gunnarsson, meanwhile, has finally brought his international form to the Championship, an absolute warrior in front of the defence. He also had a long-throw of Rory Delap proportions in his armoury and he'll be quick to unleash it at Griffin Park come Boxing Day.
How do you think Cardiff will approach the game on Monday?
Well they've certainly evolved their game in the last month and are a lot more pro-active. I wouldn't be surprised if there are goals in it.